Lesson 65. Pride in Wealth

Money is the magnet of our time, drawing the eyes of all humanity toward itself. It is a mysterious idol that one must constantly pursue, spending all one’s time trying to acquire this treasure. And when you manage to earn money, you see its stream rushing toward you, passing through your pockets, and filling your storehouses. Then you realize that you have entered the ranks of a specially chosen group of people. Not everyone fulfills this dream, but very many people aim for it and do everything they can to make it a reality.

The enemy of the human soul instills in the people of this world the idea that attaining the golden crown called “wealth, fame, and power” is the meaning of life and that this treasure can easily be possessed by walking the broad way. People deceived by Satan believe these suggestions and begin a lifelong struggle for the golden crown. They strive toward their cherished goal with all their strength and understanding. They are ready to sweep everything from their path, destroying competitors and climbing over the heads and dead bodies of their neighbors. Having attained their cherished goal, they cling to it greedily, receiving praise and applause from those already at the top and those still on the way. Meanwhile, the owner of the golden crown delights in watching the struggle of his disciples. He gives some the opportunity to fulfill their dream quickly through crime or a chance windfall. He permits others to touch it for a moment and then lose everything. He instructs still others to use their intellect and wisdom to make their way toward the cherished crown and to teach others to do the same. And there are those to whom he gives nothing, but whose achievements he destroys and whose savings he scatters to the wind, while keeping all his worshipers in constant tension and thirst for wealth. And Satan has succeeded in this world. Unfortunately, his deceptions have power. People believe in the magic of money and live with dreams of it. All the media keep this fire of human passions burning by offering new advice and recommendations and displaying the luxurious lives of those who have already reached the top.

But there is another crown, offered to all people and held in the hand of God Himself. It is called “Eternal life.” It shines with everlasting light, and the darkness cannot comprehend it. A very narrow way leads to it, and everyone who chooses this way and walks upon it receives the incorruptible crown. God gives help, protection, and strength to all travelers who are heading toward this cherished dream. They are given special knowledge of God’s will and His laws; they receive the testimony of God’s approval, and their minds are sanctified by the Holy Spirit. At first, many who walk the narrow way gaze longingly at the golden crown, regretting that they were unable to attain it. Some return to this dream and try to carry it with them on the road to Heaven, but they continually fall and pull others into the abyss. From the abyss come the enticing sounds of merriment, music, laughter, enjoyment, and every kind of pleasure. But God draws the eyes of those who are going toward Christ and reveals the beauty of His character to all who seek, drawing their hearts into friendship with His Son.

And between the owners of these two crowns, there is a continual battle for human souls.

Satan offers earthly wealth and, along with it, gives its possessors pride from the awareness that they are better than others—people especially favored by fate, who have surpassed their neighbors through achievements that allow them to be independent and free, living as they please and doing whatever their souls desire.

When I have an abundance of material resources available and freely accessible, I feel that I am on top and can even engage in charity for my own pleasure, receiving gratitude and words of blessing in return from those whom I have helped. I can buy beautiful things and live in magnificent houses. My transportation reflects my wealth. I can hire people to serve me and protect my life, giving them material compensation in return. I can buy pleasures and enjoyments. It is within my power to acquire many things and become a very famous person. And the more resources I have at my disposal, the more opportunities open before me. I suddenly realize that I am able to influence politics and arrange wars and revolutions. This idea feeds my pride, for I can write history, and my name will be immortalized on its pages. The whole world can become mine. But there is one “but” that spoils everything. Death is drawing inexorably near, and the grave offers no prospects. Who will receive everything I have acquired? And what will happen to me afterward, after death? They say that death is not the end, but a just continuation in which every debt is repaid. How terrifying! What should I do? My pride will not save me from this inevitable reckoning, and all my money will not be enough to buy even one hour of Eternal life.

Now is the time to prepare for what will inevitably come. The end of the history of sin is approaching. In what light will my name be presented in this record?

Along with the incorruptible crown, I am offered love, happiness, and friendship in fellowship with my neighbors and in knowing the Eternal God. By choosing this way, I discover an ocean of God’s blessings and a universe of amazing possibilities. The entire universe, with all its future development, becomes accessible to me, and from this moment I am given the incorruptible treasures of God’s grace. I become the possessor of peace, joy, patience, meekness, temperance, and other blessings for spiritual growth. God Himself, in Jesus Christ, appears to me in all the beauty of His character. I come to know His love and understand that it is boundless and deep, that it is available and given to every thirsty heart. It cannot be bought for any amount of money, but it is freely poured into the lives of those who have believed in Jesus, repented of their sins, and accepted the gift of God’s grace for their cleansing. Love is unique in that it is a gift, but in order to receive it, everything must be surrendered. This “everything” includes all my sins, all my time, all my pride and the filth that has clung to me, as well as all my thoughts and feelings. Such an offering is accepted as payment for that cherished “free” agape love. But for this transaction to be possible today, it was secured about two thousand years ago at an unimaginable price. Jesus Himself paid for my redemption with His life, thereby opening for me the way to salvation and to receiving love into my heart. The golden crown with all its prospects grows dim in the light of this Great Sacrifice. Love makes me truly rich in good works, but God resisteth the proud. Being rich does not necessarily mean being proud, but the risk of contracting the leprosy of this sin increases as wealth increases. How can I avoid this snare? I dedicate everything to God and ask for wisdom in managing the resources. It is no longer I who own this world of money that belongs to me, but Christ. To be rich and loving is a special privilege and blessing. With God this is possible, but not with men. But to be proud and loving is like trying to unite light with darkness. This is impossible; therefore, one of the two must die forever.

Can a person take pride in wealth without possessing it? Yes. Pride is a sin that also infects poor people. It is equally dangerous in its manifestations, for it carries death and the fruits of rebellion against God’s law. Only unconditional love can deliver me from this power of sin.

1. Please read Matthew 6:24; Psalm 73; Revelation 3:17; Proverbs 10:15; Proverbs 11:4, 28; Proverbs 18:11; Ecclesiastes 5:18; Mark 10:23–27; and 1 Timothy 6:17–19, and consider these verses in the light of our lesson.

2. What revelations did you receive while studying this subject?

3. Why is it impossible to serve both God and mammon?

4. Is it a sin to be wealthy? Are all wealthy people proud?

5. When—at what point—do my wealth and possessions become a curse to me?

6. What should I do with the wealth I possess in order to be saved unto Eternal life?

7. Is it permissible for a person who has love to accumulate wealth?

8. Do you know wealthy righteous people in the Bible whose hearts were not corrupted by riches?